Breifne’s expansion plan over the line despite concerns
Plans for the largest expansion of facilities at Breifne College since it was first built in 1974 have been approved by Cavan County Council, despite concerns over its size, traffic management, and impact on neighbouring properties.
The Cavan & Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) sought permission for the “partial demolition of the existing single-storey 1974 post-primary school building” and the construction of “a mixture of two- and three-storey extensions to the front and side of the existing school building”, linked by a first-floor bridge.
The ambitious plan also includes modern sustainability measures, with PV solar panels proposed for the roof of the two-storey section, alongside internal refurbishments. Site improvements will expand access and amenities, including 38 car parking spaces, 30 bicycle parking spaces,and a new paved courtyard social space, complemented by extensive landscaping.
The redevelopment continues a long history of incremental expansions at the Cootehill Road site.
The current school campus comprises a single-storey building constructed in 1974 and a three-storey extension added in 2018, along with a temporary two-storey modular building. Current enrolment stands at approximately 850, with projections exceeding 1,000 once the works are completed.
The new L-shaped extension will accommodate four general classrooms, three science laboratories with prep areas, two engineering rooms with storage, three technology rooms, an art room, a graphics lab, a textiles room, a home economics room, seven pastoral care rooms, a general-purpose room, a servery, and two refurbished SEN classrooms. A secure soft play area and sensory garden are also planned to enhance facilities for students with special educational needs.
To meet the demands of the growing school population, a new parking area will be created near the modular building, while the existing all-weather pitch and grass playing fields will be retained to continue supporting extracurricular and sports programmes. The existing modular building will also be retained and upgraded, with new timber cladding on two sides, a small entrance canopy, and landscaping that includes planted rain gardens.
Not everyone is happy however. One local resident, the sole third-party objector, warned that the site is “unfit for purpose” and constitutes "bad planning” given the near tripling of pupil numbers since the school’s inception.
The neighbour also criticised the height of the new structure, which will peak at 16 metres and overlook the main R188 Cavan-to-Cootehill road, calling it “a gigantic eyesore dominating the skyline” on the outskirts of the town. They also raised concerns about overshadowing of their property, and claimed that the council’s traffic assessments underestimated congestion.
The resident argued that cars “constantly” park in their gateway and the neighbouring entrance, blocking traffic flow, and described proposed parking at the school as inadequate.
CMETB was asked to provide significant further information addressing a range of issues. These included a comprehensive asbestos survey for buildings to be refurbished or demolished, an updated traffic and parking assessment, a parking management strategy, a Mobility Management Plan, and a draft Construction Traffic Management Plan to minimise disruption during construction.
The applicant submitted the requested information on February 16.
The Planning Authority concluded that, with conditions in place, the proposed development would comply with the Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 and recommended granting permission. Conditions cover public health, environmental protection, traffic and construction management, waste handling, landscaping, water and wastewater connections, and operational measures to ensure safe and sustainable use of the site.